Toy structure



14, 3 A. H. WESSEL 1,935,256

TOY STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 16. 19152 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.]

INVENTOR A TTORNE Y A. H. WESSEL Nov. 14, 1933.

TOY STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 16, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 5 41pm: l2)

IN VEN TOR r (R A TTORNE Y A. H. WESSEL Nov. 14, 1933.

TOY STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 16 1932 3 Shets-Sheet 3 FIG 8 FIG IO /4 FIG: 27'

m E H m m m m a F F H m m z a D m a a n H AV 4 AWL A e 7\ f. M A m v F F A um 2 2 H mm FIG. 95

FIG-d6 25 FlCn34- FlGr 36 FIG-37 FIG- 38 2 a u u m & 2 F 7 9 4 0 M. I G [l .I ll 8! m Q M. F 4 n o 2 4 m Q, 2. 2 a 2 M M F n 1 F F 7 5 m n 8 L 6 8 1 m 4 2 v m /5 IT\ @4 F m n4 INVENTOR A TTORNE Patented Nov. 14, 1933 Uhiiiii. sr rEs ATENT FF E TOY STRUCTURE Albert H. Wessel, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application February 16, 1932. Serial No. 593,263,

11 Claims.

Another object of my invention is to provide children with toy apparatus which, while permitting harmless amusement, also tends toward constructive thinking and training of the hands and eyes. o

A further object of my-invention is to provide,

building parts that are multi-angular, preferably square, in section andnotched on their sides.

or their ends to fit together in such manner as to toy building parts, or the like, multi-angular in section and having a notch therein adapted to fit over one of the angles of another part to facilitate assembly to any desired height.

Still another object of my invention is to provide toy building parts, one kind having lateral notches near each end for fitting over angles of other parts disposed at substantially right angles to the notched part.

. A further object of my invention is to provide toy building members multi-angular in section, one kind having notches inits ends adapted to fit over one of the angles of another kind disposed at right angles.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide toy building parts or blocks adapted for building a structure comprising substantially square members disposed horizontally and "cornerwise, and vertical, substantially square members also disposed cornerwise and notched to fit over angles of the horizontal members, thus providing a pleasing and novel appearance to the finished structure. Y

Other objects of my invention will become evident from the following detailed. description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: p K

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toy building structure organized in accordance with my present invention; l l

Fig. 2 is a partial view in front elevation, and Fig. 3 a partial view in side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. .1;

Figs. 4 to '7, inclusive, are fragmentary sec-,-

tional views, takenwalong the lines"IV-IV to VII-VII, inclusive; 7

Figs. 8 to 43, inclusive, are views of the individual parts or blocks that may be used to produce structures such as that shown in'Fig. 1;

Fig. 44 is a partial view showing a different type of assembly for the lower portion of the structure 7 shown in Fig. .1; l y

Figs. 45 and 47 a re sectional views taken along Fig. 46 is a partial perspective view of a corner of the structure shown in Fig. 44, and I v Fig. 48 is a perspective view of another form of wall that may be readily formed with my toy building blocks. i

Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1, 2 and 3 clearly indicate to the observer the novel and pleasing appearance produced by .the use of. my toy building blocks, nearly all of which are presented in angular or cornerwise relation rather than presenting the flatsides. The various members have suitable notches, mostly in the ends, although the lower members 4 are provided with lateral notches near their ends, and member 7 with lateral notches near the ends and at intermediate points corresponding to the numberoidivisions desired in a toy building, as hereinafter set forth, whereby the various members may be readily .interfitted together, since the notches are shown as being right angles or 90 degrees, thus readily fitting over a Bil-degree angle of another member.

It willbe noted that all of the members shown in these figures are substantially square in section, and while this is at present the preferred form, nevertheless five-sided, six-sided, etc. members may be provided if desired, the notches in the various parts to be made to correspond to the. angle or angles that it is desired "to interlock with or engage. My blocks may be made of wood, 'metal or any other suitable material.

The best way to understand the completed structure of Fig. 1 is for the construction or assembly thereof to be described step by step, using the various individual parts or blocks that are shown in Figs 8 to 41, inclusive.

Two'parts or blocks 1 of Fig. 8 are first placed on the floor parallel to each other.' These blocks, it will be noted, are substantially triangular in cross section,- and preferably with slightly fiattened apices 3. The baseof these triangular members is placed fiatwise on the floor, thus presenting a substantially right-angle corner'for further assembly or engagement. j

a Two parts or blocks 4,. preferably with slightly flattened corners and having lateral,90--degree notches near their ends, are neXt placed at substantially right angles to the triangular base members 1, so that the notches 5 fit over the upwardly presented corners .or angles or the base members 1. In this Way, a square base or foundation is provided. It will be noted that certain small holes 2 are provided in the blocks 1, l and in several of the others, the reason for this being to permit pins or small rods, such as 12 of Fig. 21, to pass through or into these small holes and thus pin or fasten parts of the struc ture together. While the structure, up to a certain height at least, might be built and assembled without the use of these pins, nevertheless, in addition to permitting higher structures, the pins insure against accidental knocking apart of the blocks and readily permit a completed structure to be carried from one point to another by grasping the lower partsthereof.

Pins such as 12 are next inserted in the small holes 2 131131 extend above throu h blocks 4 (into the notches 5) then laterally into blocks 1 near their ends, whereby the square foundation is rigidly pinned together.

A Floor boards may neict'be inserted in place, these boards having bevels or chamiers 11 extending downwardly and inwardly, the angle of the bevel er chamfer corresponding, of course, 3'0

to that of the blocks 4: in their cornerwise position, or, in other words, an angle of degrees.

As indicated in Fig. 6, for example, the top surface of the floorboards 10 is substantially flush with the top flattened apex of the triangular base member 1, and the boards are of such length as to properly fitwhen any given number of bays or lateral divisions of the building are employed, such as three in the structure illustrated in Fig. 1'.

blocks 13 oi "Fig. 23, having end right angle notches '15 and pin holes 14 extending to the crevices thereof, are assembled on the intermediate pin's12 to form vertical pillars or columns defining the number of bays or sections into which each face of the building is to be divided. At the corners, members or blocks 16 are as sembled over the corresponding pins 12, these members having notches 15 at each end, which, however, are disposed at ri ht angles to each other instead of being parallel to each other as in the blocks 13. Throughout the construction of the building, the blocks 16 are disposed vertically'at the 'cor'nersand the blocks 13 vertically at intermediate points.

Blocks 21 (Fig. 28) and 25 (Fig. 34), small in sectiomare next laid. Blocks 25 are used ad j'acent to and at right angles to members 4, and blocks 21 are used in intermediate bays and in end bays where they are placed parallel to membersd. Blocks 21 and 25 present a side rather than acorn'er to the observer, andare the only members'or blocks that do so. Blocks Zl and 25 have right'angle notches 22 at both ends and at right angles to the illustrated chamfers. The blocks 25, "it will be noted, have a shoulder 24 bevelled or chainfered at one end to fit over the bevelled surface of member 4. Blocks 21 do not need chamiered ends as they merely engage the corners of upright blocks 13 and 16, as the case may be. As a result, the members 25 fit closelyagainst the sides of the base blocks 4, the

the corners of vertical members 16 and 13 or of two adjacent vertical members 13, thus being securely maintained in place and forming a snug fit, as the members 21 and 25, as will be noted from Fig. 6, rest partially on the floor boards 10.

Blocks 26, preferably having slightly flattened lower corners, are next assembled on top of blocks'25 or 21, these blocks being smaller in section than the blocks 13 and 16 and being provided with right-angle end notches 22 to engage the corners of vertical blocks 13 and 16 andpresent their own corners to the observer. It will be noted that the blocks 26 are particularly adapted for forming the sills of windows or such openings.

Blocks 28 (small in section) are next assembled over the middle portions of the sill blocks 26. These blocks, shown in Fig. 4.0, have right-angle end notches 22 and are adapted to present a corner or angle to the observer. They thus divide the openings formed by vertical blocks 15 and 13, ior example, into two or more parts as desired. 1

Long blocks 6, preferably having slightly tene'd corners, are next assembled by laying them cerner'w ise into the upper notches of the various vertical blocks 16, 13 and 2% and, in the caseof the lowermost floor or Fig. 2, into theupper notches of additional blocks 26 -which are dis posed'on end, being located on the centra 1301- .tion of the triangular base blocksl to form a doorway. The long blocks 5, it will benoted, are placed floor above fioorparallel to the triangular base blocks 1, whereas additional long blocks having lateral notches. near their ends, are placed floor above floor at rig-ht angles-to the blocks 5 to form with them the foundation for each successive floor.

The nner boards 10 are disposed between long blocks 6 o'n-each side oi the s'tructureto form successive floors, as clearly indicated in Fig. 6, and the horizontal members 21-23--25 and 26 are assembled at the ends or'sides thereof in t'he sarn'e way as previously described. I v In 'each'case, at the corners where lcngbloclis i and 6 meet, pins 12 are inserted therethrough and extend thereabove to-extend into the opening 14 leadinginto the notch 15 of the-corner'u-pright blocks 16. The pins at intermediate p oints merely extend between the upright blocks 13 and the horizontal blocks 4 or 6, as the case may be. In other words, the corner pins serve to fastenf-our members together, namely, 4, 6 and two of the blocks 16, whereas the intermediate pinsmer'ely fasten two "members together, such as 13 and 6.

ice

The structure may be continued or extended to formasinanystories as desiredthe construction being continued in the same general way. Also, the structure may be diminished or 'increased in --length or breadth as desired by increasing or decreasing the units or the length of members 1,4, 6 and? 7 However, whentowerscr set-backs are desired, these, of course, generally speaking, are merely small counterparts of the larger structure and, for this reason, use smaller main horizontal members, such as 3 9 of Figs. 16 and 18, which respectively correspond-to blocks '4 and 16 of l0 and 12. Blocks 8 and 9 may also be used in conjunction with blocks l, sand 7 to produce various other-combinations of set-backs t or towers. Blocks 23 (Fig. 31) have -right angle notches 22 "at both ends-and right angles to the illustrated chamfers, and also have a shoulder 2 1 on both ends, the same'asmember '25 has on one end; These'blocks are to "be usedin its towers or set-backs or in places where both ends are in contact and at right angles to'members 4 or-S and the like. In Fig. 1, blocks 23 are employed just below the towers (above the fourth simulateia spire or smoke stack, for example.

Referring to Figs. 44 to 4'7, inclusive, a modified form of lower floor or wall construction shown, which utilizes a number of the blocks 29 of Figs. 42 and 43 to provide the necessary spacing between window and door openings. As will be noted from the figures, theb ase blocks 1 and- 4 are assembled at right angles as before and the blocks 8 are horizontally assembled just above to fit over the respectivepairs of long blocks 4 and 1, except at door openings where a block 29 is first'placed on block 1 and block 8 rests on top of the same.

A number of the small blocks 29 is then assembled above each end of the blocks 8 to form the sides of the windows or doors, each block at right angles to the preceding one, and vertical small section blocks 28'are then assembled upon the blocks 8 to provide a division of the window openings. Across the top of these various blocks, a long notched block '7 is assembled and above this a block 4. The vertical corner member 16 and the intermediate vertical members 13 may then be assembled as previously described. Similar construction may be applied, if desired, in the sides of the first story at right angles to that shown in Fig. 44. The perspective View of Fig.

46 and the sectional views of Figs. and 47 will serve to further indicate the construction in question. j

Fig. 48 shows how a continuous wall may be provided in the lower or any other story by assembling a number of the vertical blocks 13 corner to corner between the triangular base block 1 and the rectangular intermediate long block 6, as clearly indicated. This same construction may also be used in representing a yard or garden wall or fence.

It will be noted that I have thus provided a relatively small number of blocks which are, with one exception, assembled either horizontally or vertically by means of notches fitting over the angles of other blocks to present corners rather than flat sides to the observer. The effect is very attractive and, in addition, buildingstructures may be quickly and readily built up to considerable heights, thus providing great amusement for the children without being so tedious as to dull their interest. Furthermore, although I have illustrated only two or three different forms of structure, it will be appreciated that a great many other forms may be readily devised in accordance with the ingenuity and ambition of the individual child.

Consequently, I do not wish to be restricted to the specific structural details or arrangement of parts herein set forth, asvarious modifications thereof may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. Building parts comprising members multiangular in cross-section, one member having a notch in an end thereon-the sides of said notch being plane and equally inclined to the axis of that member and meeting at said axis, an angular edge of the other member engaging said notch to provide a connection between said members.

2. Building parts comprising members multiangular in cross-section, one member having a notch in an end thereof, the sides of said notch being plane and equally'inclined to the axis of that member and meeting at said axisto form a line terminating attwo opposite corners of said notched member, an angular edge of the other member. engaging said notch toprovide a connection between said members.

3. Building. parts comprising members multiangular in cross-section, certain members having a notch in each end thereoffthe sides of said notches being plane and equally inclined to the axis of the notched member and meeting at said axis, and transverse multi-angular members engaging the ends of said notched members with an angular edge there'ofengaging notches of corre-' sponding ends of said notched members.

4. Building parts comprising members multi- -,angular in cross-section, one member having a form but disposed at right angles to the first named notch.

5'. Building parts comprising members multiangular in cross-section, one member having a notch in an end thereof, the sides of said notch being plane and equally inclined to the axis of that member and meeting at said axis, an angular edge of another member engaging said notch to provide a connection between said members, said other member having a notch formed transversely thereof and symmetrically to an edge thereof, and a third member multi-angular in cross-section engaging said transverse notch with an angular edge thereof within the notch.

6. Building parts comprising a. member triangular in cross-section, one side forming a base, and another member multi-angular in cross-section and having a notch in one end thereof, the sides of said notch being plane and equally inclined to the axis of that member and meeting at said axis, said notchengaging the angular edge of said triangular member lying v opposite said its base thereof to provide a connection between said members.

7. Building 'partscomprising a member triangular in cross-section, one side forming a base, and another member multi-angular in cross-section and having a notchin one end thereof, the

provide a connection between said members.

8.'Building parts comprising members multiangular in cross section, the first of said members having parallel-extending notches in each end thereof and a second member having notches in its respective ends extending at right angles to each other, the sides of all of said notches being plane and equally inclined to the axis of the respective notched members and meeting at said axis, and transverse multi-angular members, one of said transverse members engaging correspondherewith an angular edge thereof, a second transverse member havingan angular edge engaging the right-angle-disposed notch in the remaining end of the said second member.

9. Building parts comprising members multiangular in cross-section, the first of said members having parallel-extending notches in each end thereci. and a second member having notches in its respective ends extending at right angles to each other, the sides of all or" said notches being plane and equally inclined to the axis of the respective notched members and meeting at said axis, and transverse multi-angular members, one of said transverse members engaging corresponding notched ends of said first and second members With an angular edge thereof, a second transverse member having an angular edge engaging the right-angle-disposed notch in the remaining end of the said second member, said second transverse member having a notch formed transversely thereof and symmetrically to an edge thereof, another transverse member having an angular edge engaging the notch in said second transing notched endsof said first and second-mem-- verse member and the remaining end notch in? said first member.

10. Building parts comprising members multiangular in cross-section, one member having a notch in an end thereof, the sides of said notch being plane and equally inclined to the axis of that member and meeting at said axis, an angular edge of-the other member engaging said notch to provide a connection between said members, and a pin extending through said notch for retaining said members in position.

11. Building parts comprising members multiangular in cross-section,-one member having a notch in an end thereof, thesides of said notch being plane and equally inclined tothe axis of that member and meeting at said axis to form a line terminating at tWo opposite corners of said notched member, an angular edge of the other member engaging said notch to provide a connection between said members, and a pin extending through said notch for retaining said members in position.

ALBERT H. WESSEL. 

